CPSB facing $3 million deficit, surprised at bat-removal cost

The Calcasieu Parish School Board's budget committee typically revises their budget three times a year.

According to the latest figures, they're in the hole. But one of the costs in there was something officials say they couldn't have planned for.

Referring to the projected 2014-2015 projected budget, Karl Bruchhaus, Chief Financial Officer for the Calcasieu Parish School Board said, "The board preliminarily adopted a budget tonight, it will be finalized in July that will project about a $3 million deficit for that year."

But on Thursday, members of the budget committee learned about one maintenance expenditure that was unexpected.

"We had a significant bat infestation at Sulphur High School this year," said Bruchhaus.

Bruchhaus says it was so bad they had to call in a hurricane cleanup company to handle the situation.

While it got a chuckle from board members, laughter turned into shock when they learned it cost them nearly $300,000.

But Bruchhaus says it had to be fixed, "Compared to having 22 classrooms in a building shut down for three weeks in a big high school it had to be fixed and it had to be fixed quickly."

Another unexpected factor in their budget was the MFP. Bruchhaus says they assumed they would get their $3 million unattached; to allow them to offset various increases, but legislators had a different plan.

"Right at the end they came back and said if you remember the supplement we gave last year that was supposed to be a one-time deal from the state where we were required to give $561 per teacher, we gave $600, we rounded it up. We are now required to put that $561 into the teacher salary schedule for next year, as a permanent increase," explained Bruchhaus.

Despite a few curveballs, officials are working to balance the budget.

And although it's a projected deficit, overall, Bruchhaus says they're still in good financial shape.

"We have about $37 million in reserves, this $3 million will come out of that," assured Bruchhaus.

There was some good news tonight. Bruchhaus announced they're saving $150,000 this year in property insurance by going directly through Lloyd's of London.

Theaters around the country including right here in Lake Charles are selling out for the movie Black panther. But for many in the community they got a chance to see the movie for free, thanks to one Lake Charles native. The mall food court was packed Saturday. As a large group enjoyed their tea,lemonade, pizza and boudin, but the mall food court wasn't their final stop. Because everyone was headed to the movies to see Black Panther. Marrion Borden was so e...More >>

Theaters around the country including right here in Lake Charles are selling out for the movie Black panther. But for many in the community they got a chance to see the movie for free, thanks to one Lake Charles native. The mall food court was packed Saturday. As a large group enjoyed their tea,lemonade, pizza and boudin, but the mall food court wasn't their final stop. Because everyone was headed to the movies to see Black Panther. Marrion Borden was so e...More >>

Tonight, the showers will start to wind down. There should not be much rain left after midnight. Clouds will linger overnight. It will still be a muggy night, with temperatures not cooling down very much. I’m forecasting a low of 59 degrees, but it may not cool down that far overnight. By Sunday, the same front that stalled over us, will begin to weaken. Therefore, I do not think there will be many showers around. I’m keeping a 20% for a little bit of drizzle overnight.

Tonight, the showers will start to wind down. There should not be much rain left after midnight. Clouds will linger overnight. It will still be a muggy night, with temperatures not cooling down very much. I’m forecasting a low of 59 degrees, but it may not cool down that far overnight. By Sunday, the same front that stalled over us, will begin to weaken. Therefore, I do not think there will be many showers around. I’m keeping a 20% for a little bit of drizzle overnight.

It's been more than five years in the making, but Saturday Captain Daniel Johannes Goos now stands over the lakefront in Lake Charles. Crowds of people gathered by the Lakefront Promenade this morning all waiting to see the the statue of Captain Daniel Johannes Goos. "When you mention Captain Daniel Goos you may get he sounds familiar or if you're lucky you get oh like Goosport," said descendant Erik Jessen.

It's been more than five years in the making, but Saturday Captain Daniel Johannes Goos now stands over the lakefront in Lake Charles. Crowds of people gathered by the Lakefront Promenade this morning all waiting to see the the statue of Captain Daniel Johannes Goos. "When you mention Captain Daniel Goos you may get he sounds familiar or if you're lucky you get oh like Goosport," said descendant Erik Jessen.

KPLC's Black History Month profiles continue with a couple who knew how to let the good times roll. When Bernard Beaco married his wife Dolores in 1955, he never imagined that their move to Lake Charles would be long term. But as the years went by they made an impact, one that can be felt especially during Mardi Gras season. "We did everything together.," said Bernard. "We were a twosome." If you saw Bernard Beaco, Dolores was usually rig...

KPLC's Black History Month profiles continue with a couple who knew how to let the good times roll. When Bernard Beaco married his wife Dolores in 1955, he never imagined that their move to Lake Charles would be long term. But as the years went by they made an impact, one that can be felt especially during Mardi Gras season. "We did everything together.," said Bernard. "We were a twosome." If you saw Bernard Beaco, Dolores was usually rig...

The city of Sulphur reports that all city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th, 2018, in observance of President's Day. There will be no interruptions to the residential garbage collection schedule.

The city of Sulphur reports that all city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th, 2018, in observance of President's Day. There will be no interruptions to the residential garbage collection schedule.